Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are quickly emerging as a critical component of the Transportation Systems Sector (TSS), one of the essential infrastructure sectors designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While autonomy is not a new concept, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), real-time data processing, and sensor fusion have accelerated the deployment of AV technology in both military and commercial civilian sectors. These technologies enable AVs to operate with varying levels of autonomy but also introduce significant cybersecurity, legal, and ethical challenges. As AV integration into critical infrastructure scales and military reliance on interconnected autonomous systems grows, ensuring cyber and operational resilience becomes a national security imperative to guard against cyber-physical threats. This article explores the technological foundation of AVs, their military and commercial applications, and the cybersecurity risks impeding safe deployment. We examine specific frameworks, such as the commercial SAE autonomy levels (1-5) and military adaptations like the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program, alongside key cybersecurity threats, including remote hacking, GPS spoofing, and Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks. This analysis highlights the immense potential and inherent vulnerabilities of AV technology as it becomes more deeply integrated into civilian and military systems. The paper concludes by addressing critical cybersecurity measures, including strong encryption and AI model training, to mitigate these risks and enhance AV security in commercial and defense applications.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE